Hantuchova, Radwanska, Voskoboeva receive Heart Awards

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Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) receives the Fed Cup Heart Award

Daniela Hantuchova of Slovak Republic, Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland and Kazakhstan’s Galina Voskoboeva have all been presented with their 2013 Fed Cup Heart Awards at this week’s Fed Cup by BNP Paribas ties.

The four Heart Award recipients from the February Fed Cup ties were decided by a public vote on FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es that saw over 23,000 fans make their selection. Brazil’s Paula Cristina Goncalves was the fourth award winner and will be presented with her award at a later date. All the winners receive a cheque to be donated to their chosen charity.

Hantuchova claimed her second career Heart Award for her performance in the World Group and World Group II first round category, winning both singles rubbers in Slovak Republic’s 3-2 victory over Serbia. She has donated her cheque for $6000 to her own foundation which supports children’s hospitals in her home country.

Hantuchova said: “It means the world to win this award. This is what I play tennis for, to be able to share moments like this, not only with the team, my country, but all my fans. It is the main reason why I play. This is another wonderful opportunity to help other people and donate to my charity.”

Radwanska won the Heart Award for Europe/Africa Zone Group I after remaining unbeaten in singles and doubles to help Poland qualify for this weekend’s World Group II play-offs. She has donated her cheque for $1000 to the Polish charitable organisation Brother Albert’s Foundation.

Radwanska said: “It is a very nice feeling. I am very happy and appreciate the award. I have been playing Fed Cup for many years and am ready to play all the time. My charity is a Polish foundation and I hope the money will help other people.”

Voskoboeva won the Heart Award for Asia/Oceania Zone Group I after three vital doubles victories extended her Fed Cup win-loss record for Kazakhstan to 18-6. She has donated her cheque for $1000 to a blind eight-month-old boy Klim Bulakh from Aksu in Kazakhstan to help towards the cost of an operation.

Voskoboeva said: “I found out about this story at the end of last year. Klim’s family wants him to be able to have surgery in Israel or Germany but it is very expensive. I helped them before but now of course I am very happy to win this award and have another opportunity to help them.”

ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “There were some outstanding performances during the Fed Cup ties in February, so I would like to congratulate all four players for coming out on top of the public vote. The Fed Cup Heart Award continues to reward players for the commitment they make to their team and the competition as a whole. I am sure that all the winners will take great pride in making their donations to charity.”